Hey, wait. Where’s the Maritime Festival? Wear that mask and hope for August, Chamber says

Missing something this summer?

That’s right, the Maritime Gig Harbor Festival, which usually takes place the first week of June, didn’t happen this year, because of you-know-what.

But the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the popular event, has tentatively rescheduled it for the weekend of August 22 and 23, fingers crossed.

The festival is Gig Harbor’s largest annual event, drawing 15,000 to 20,000 visitors over a two-day span. Everything from concerts to car shows take place each year, along with a parade and the blessing of the fleet.

Since most fishermen for Alaska in early June, the blessing of the fleet is one part of the festival that won’t occur in August. But everything else — music concerts, a car show and the popular street parade — are still being planned, said Warren Zimmerman, CEO of the chamber.

But much depends on whether Pierce County has moved forward in coronavirus recovery. Pierce County is currently in Phase II. Laura Pettitt Roe, Gig Harbor’s tourism and communications director, said moving to Phase IV is essential for the festival to take place.

According to the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, Pierce County has seen 312 cases within the last 14 days.

“Just because we are planning for it doesn’t mean it will happen,” Pettitt Roe said. “We can’t will an event into happening, but we hope it does. We encourage people to stay safe, wear their masks, and help us get through these phases as quick as possible.”

Zimmerman said he hopes some type of event can take place if Pierce County makes it to Phase III, but he is not sure how it would look.

“Ideally, we won’t cancel,” Zimmerman said. “It really will be dependent on where the state and Pierce County is overall. If we are in Phase III by August 22, we would certainly continue and put on the event, but might look different.”

If the festival does go on, Zimmerman said, a major theme will be celebrating and recognizing the Gig Harbor first responders and health care workers who have gone above and beyond during COVID-19.

“We want to recognize the people who were employed in essential positions, responders, people who have done extraordinary things in the community during COVID 19,” Zimmerman said.

Pettitt Roe said festivals such as this increase tourism and support the local businesses in the city. There are typically 80 vendors lining the city streets during the maritime festival, many of which are local artists and creators.

“It’s just really a community celebration,” Zimmerman said. “There are people who come outside the community to see it, but it’s really a community event and people in Gig Harbor are the ones who participate either directly or as spectators.”

The cancellation of the maritime festival could be a letdown for many residents who look forward to the event each year, but safety will be prioritized, and the decision will ultimately be up to the county and its progress during the pandemic.

“We got a lot of feedback by people who are interested in us having this event,” Zimmerman said. “We are motivated to do so, but we don’t have final say on what will be allowed and disallowed.”

Pettitt said she hopes the festival takes place so the city can recognize and celebrate its unique heritage.

“Gig Harbor is a unique place with a unique community, and we would like to celebrate our historical heritage,” Pettitt Roe said. “It’s always good to celebrate who we are, our community, and really highlight what we offer.”

This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 4:45 PM.